Anthony and Beth are discussing a magazine article about new technologies. Complete their conversation by choosing the correct verb forms from the drop-down menus (a–l). Then decide what type of new technology they are discussing in each part of the conversation (1–4). Again, choose from the drop-down menu.

(1) ___________________

Anthony: Have you seen this article in the New Scientist? It’s all about new technologies. It’s fascinating.

Beth: Go on, then. How (are our lives going to change/will our lives be changing)?

Anthony: It’s predicting that pretty soon scientists (are going/will) to be able to make devices like computers and robots using single cells and atoms.

Beth: Wow. To do what?

Anthony: Well, they’re talking about being able to treat diseases at a cellular level by injecting one of these miniature robots, or using the technology to make new, more flexible materials from carbon atoms.

Beth: What (will they think of/will they be thinking of) next?

(2) ___________________

Anthony: Well, it’s funny you should ask. The article goes on to talk about things like robotics and androids.

Beth: Androids?

Anthony: Yeah. It says that by 2050, scientists (will build/will have built) androids that look like humans and have the capacity to interact like humans.

Beth: I don’t think I like that idea. I think it (‘ll be/’ll have been) more trouble than it’s worth. Imagine everything that could go wrong!

(3) ___________________

Anthony: OK, I think you (‘ll like/’ll be liking) this next one more. How about having a computer that controlled all of the appliances and electronic equipment in our house? It would save money because the house would know when you weren’t home, and it’d make sure everything was turned off.

Beth: It (‘ll probably be/’ll probably have been) expensive, though, I imagine.

Anthony: Who knows how much things (will cost/will be costing) in future! Perhaps (we’ll all have lived/we’ll all be living) on the Moon by then!

(4) ___________________

Beth: What does that last bit of the article say? The bit with the photo of that small microchip?

Anthony: Hang on a minute, I (‘m going to/’ll) look. Umm ... it’s talking about a type of technology that uses radio waves and these things called ‘tags’ to identify people.

Beth: People? So they could embed one of these tags in me?

Anthony: Well, in theory, yes. But they’re mainly used on animals – so you can track your pet if they vanish – and on products in shops – so that they can stop people stealing.

Beth: Mmm. It still sounds suspicious to me.

Anthony: Well, it does say here that some organizations are worried about privacy issues.

Beth: I do worry that in the future, governments and big corporations (will be using/will have used) all of these new types of technology to keep us under control.

Anthony: You worry too much. Here, you finish the article. I (‘ll make/’ll be making) us a nice cup of tea.

Anthony: Did you see this article in New Scientist? It's all about new technologies. It's fascinating.

Beth: Then come on. How will our life change?

Anthony: It is predicted that quite soon scientists will be able to create devices such as computers and robots using individual cells and atoms.

Beth: Wow. Do what?

Anthony: Well, they're talking about being able to treat disease at the cellular level by injecting one of these miniature robots or using technology to create new, more flexible materials from carbon atoms.

Beth: What will they think about next?

Anthony: Well, funny you should ask. The article goes on to talk about things like robotics and androids.

Beth: Androids?

Anthony: Yep. It says that by 2050, scientists will build androids that look like humans and are able to interact like humans.

Beth: I don't think I like the idea. I think it will be more trouble than it's worth. Imagine everything that could go wrong!

Anthony: Okay, I think you'll like another one. How about having a computer that controls all the appliances and electronic equipment in our home? This will save money because the house will know when you are not at home and will make sure everything is turned off.

Beth: I think it will probably be expensive.

Anthony: Who knows how much things will cost in the future! Maybe we'll all be living on the moon by then!

Beth: What does the last part of the article say? Bit with a photo of that little microchip?

Anthony: Wait a minute, I'll take a look. Hmm... it's a technology that uses radio waves and things called "tags" to identify people.

Beth: People? So they can inject one of these tags into me?

Anthony: Well, in theory, yes. But they are mostly used on animals - so you can track your pet if it goes missing - and on groceries in stores - to keep people from stealing.

Beth: Mmm. It still looks suspicious to me.

Anthony: Well, it does say here that some organizations are concerned about privacy.

Beth: I'm worried that in the future, governments and large corporations will use all these new types of technology to keep us under control.

Anthony: You worry too much. Here you end the article. I'll make us a nice cup of tea.